Commuting - Discouraged by the road warriors ?!?

I looked out my front door this morning and saw a large group of cyclists getting ready for a ride through my town. Each person who met across the street this morning was wearing a jersey, they each had really expensive road bike, and almost every person generally looked good (not that I noticed) in lycra. So I started thinking about my own attempts at becoming a cyclist. I don't quite feel comfortable wearing a jersey, I have a hybrid bike that I ride about 60 miles a week, and although I have very strong legs and not a lumpy butt, I wouldn't dare wear lycra.

I've only been riding daily for about 5 months, and my daily commute to work is less than 10 miles. I've lost about 25 pounds, dropped my resting heart rate by about 20 beats per minute, and I feel much better since I've been riding every day.

So why should I be discouraged that I don't look that those cyclists who met in front of my house this morning? Why should I care that I probably wouldn't be able to keep up with those guys who ride 150km every weekend (due mostly to the type of bicycle that I have)? Maybe someday in the future I'll want to ride ride with the road warriors (I'm sure that's not what they call themselves), and if I continue to ride everyday I'm sure I'll start to look more like them than I do right now.

I can justify my low mileage every week by saying that I'm only doing it beacuse I enjoy it and I'm getting healthy, but for some reason I still feel discouraged.

Buddy, A.F,

I know how you feel, man! One morning on my commute, while tackling a long, tall hill with extra weight on the bike, a guy in lycra standing on his pedals passed me. He stayed standing all the way up to the top. I was impressed!

But I have to be me, not someone else. You know?

AF,
No I would not feel discouraged at all. In the summer when I MTB I can be seen in plain shorts, and hiking boots. In winter it is sweats and some type of wind breaker. I do have some polypropylene under garments but it has not gotten that cold here except once. I mainly had this stuff when I lived in Va. I would not even be concerned about getting taken on a hill or anywhere else. From what you described you are doing just fine. Keep it up.

Yup, I agree. Keep it up, you're doing great!

Pete :)

Keep it up for sure! I am one of those lycra spankys on my longer rides, but on my commute (a 32km round trip) I wear normal street clothes. I don't have one of those ultra-expensive bikes.

The thing is, I lose nothing. Heck when one of them passes me, it's "expected". When I pass one of them, however (which seems to be happening more and more often), I get a hell of a lot of satisfaction out of it. The longer you commute, the more it will be that way for you I expect.

Chris

I only do about 10 miles/day these days, but once, "between contracts" I was doing 50-70 miles/day on an old 5 speed sports bike. I used to ride with a touring club and chose the "easy riders" section. On ride, I tailled a bunch of guys twice my age (ie over 60). They burnt me out after 15 miles.

Ride at your own pace, in whatever clothes you want to. As long as you are enjoying yourself, you dont have to measure up to anyone elses standard. Imagine how those "road warriors" would fare mixing it with pros on a mountain stage.

It isn't that I want to be anyone but myself, I just want to be able to ride with those guys at some point. It seems like I have so far to go. Something I did notice yesterday, however, was that those guys were all at least 15 years older than me. Maybe after 15 years of commuting I'll also have chicken legs and a body type like PeeWee Herman.


When I was in college I was riding a Nishiki bike that didn't really fit me. I only liked it because it was fast and I could afford it. I showed up at a Saturday ride with http://www.bgcycling.org/ and I was completely left behind since I couldn't keep up with the lycra boys (they weren't wearing lycra then). I don't remember how long it took me to find my truck since I didn't really know the city that I was in. That was 10 years ago, but I think the feeling of abandonment is still there.

If you want to improve skills, strength and endurance, there's nothing wrong with that. It doesn't require lycra, either. A good way is to join a bike club. Most are pretty accepting of new members, and they will ride you all over the place. The hard-core road warriors are in racing clubs, anyhow, so you won't need them.

Then, someday, you'll spot your garishly clad victim up the road, and dust him in a blur of speed - on your fat tires and all.

Here's more. My brother was training for a 500-mile AIDS ride. Some gonzo-weenie types were giving him grief for riding a mountain bike with a t-shirt and cutoffs. By the time the ride started, he gave in to wearing proper cycling shorts, and put road slicks on the mtb. He finished in good form right up there with the weenies.

Originally posted by Oscar
Here's more. My brother was training for a 500-mile AIDS ride. Some gonzo-weenie types were giving him grief for riding a mountain bike with a t-shirt and cutoffs. By the time the ride started, he gave in to wearing proper cycling shorts, and put road slicks on the mtb. He finished in good form right up there with the weenies.

Oscar, I read the funniest thing about a guy named John Stamstad, a true biking madman. Someone said about him: they all laughed at John, showing up on his "city bike," after which John "put the wood to them."

I think they're "road warriors" if they're friendly, but lots of Lycra-clad riders with expensive bikes are more properly termed "snobs." It all depends.

However, I have to put in a good word for Lycra. I vowed I'd never be seen in it--not just because my body is far from shapely, but because of the snob association. But midway through my commuting career I purchased Lycra-Spandex cycling shorts and tights (one pair of the tights has a "wind front" to protect against cold breezes)--and, as they say, I never looked back. So much more comfortable than anything else I'd worn! Never mind if I look laughable. Comfort is important, and it's Lycra for me--for that reason.

A F,

You have already made great improvements. Take your time and enjoy yourself. One day you will see those guys on the road and find yourself keeping up with them.

that's right. and just remember, they put on those lycra shorts one leg at a time, just like the rest of us. :)

There are many types of cyclists, each with their own goals. You have to discover your own reason for cycling and your own goals. It doesn't make much sense to compare yourself with other cyclists unless you're competing, or for the fun of it.

I cycle to get to my destination, so I usually cycle alone. This is not conducive to racing, except maybe against cars, or myself. My focus is my own ride, not competing against someone.

Occasionally I try to pace myself against another cyclist, which is fun, but it's never planned. But as for racing, I don't have enough time away from my family for that.
I just enjoy cycling whenever I can do it.

But it does seem like it would be a blast to get in a group and ride like h***! ;)

I generally like to challenge myself against stupidly long rides. I am always amused by the "road warriors" who hurtle along at around 45km/h and never ride more than 20km in a day. Heck, if they want a challenge they should come on one of my rides sometime.

Chris

Ba-Dg-Er, thanks for the confession. The intent of this thread was definitely not to make a road warrior feel bad about how he/she chooses to ride. Thanks anyway for the pledge of help to the struggling newbie at your next club ride.

AF,
Yeah, those guys have been riding for years. One of these days you will be able to ride with them if you want to.
When I started commuting I just wanted a little exercise and maybe make a little contribution to the environment. In these 7 months I have lost about 25 pounds without really dieting, but have trimmed down even more than that amount of weight would suggest. I still have 30-40 pounds to go, but I am very encouraged.

As I got more fit, relativelty speaking, of course, I started thinking about improving my riding, ie, faster and more efficient, just for my own satisfaction so I started reading more about technique. I still don't consider what I do "training", but I focus on pedal cadence and mechanics and see gradual improvement. I am even thinking about entering some races for the fun of it next year, by which time I should have lost the rest of the weight and improved my conditioning. I know from my reading and advice from others that between now and then, I also need to make a point of doing group rides to get used to riding close to people.

I used to say I would not wear lycra, but maybe I will at some point because people say it is more comfortable. I did buy a pair of decent padded shorts a size too small because they were on clearance at a very good price. I also bought a couple of plain inconspicuous jerseys because they were at a very good price and made of Coolmax, a fabric I like a lot. I don't wear any of them yet, but I will in the not too distant future. Mainly, I don't want to look incongruous. I mean, picture a FOBGOB (fat old balding guy on a bike) wearing pretty pink Deutsche Telekom kit. Sorry to put that image in your head, but you get the idea.

At this point my objectives are continued gradual weight loss and gradual cycling improvement. Everything else will come in time.
Regards,
Raymond

I go to great lengths NOT to look like those goofballs with the styrofoam bait buckets on their heads. I ride my comfortable hybrid 40-50 mi/day, often average 18-20 mph, smokin' cigs and jammin to the headphones at full volume. I hate exercise, but at 46 I'm in better shape than I have ever been(not many guys can say that at 46). The only problem is that the new technologies in fabrics sure do keep you cool, especially here in the AZ desert. I just wish you could buy them with buttons and a cigarette pocket.

Just a quick story in reply,

I do not consider myself a bike snob, however I may be turning into a roadie more and more every day. I started riding when I was 4 and never really stopped. But I always rode for fun or for commuting never really for competition. Recently I have been training harder than ever. I decided it time to get serious about getting in shape. Anyway I thought I was doing pretty good and I went on a group ride in the Texas hill country. I rode this area before and was able to climb every hill on an old 30+ lb bike. Well I was riding with an obviously bigger stronger rider and we came up to the hilliest part of the ride I got out of the saddle to climb, well about halfway up I had to walk it. WALK IT. I have never had that happen. I was dizzy and I thought I would faint. My riding partner was long gone. At a break stop I caught up with him we chatted and he rode along side for awhile. He said in a very casual manner, "dont hit it too hard too early". Well the next day I figured out what he meant. I blew myself out trying to keep up with him. The advise was invaluable. The next day I went out on my own and tackled every hill. The Moral to the story is: Don't be dicouraged by the lycra get out there and do it. There are lots of good riders who will give you advise and pointers, there are also some who will take great pride in dropping you. Just make a list and pay them back one day, both types.

I've only ridden in a group a couple of times, though I hope to start doing it regularly soon.

One time I was riding in more-or-less downtown Kansas City, and came upon a group of cyclists. I asked one if they were with the KC Bicycle Club; no, they weren't, but he told me what group it was. They seemed friendly, so I rode along with them for awhile--and I was dumbfounded to find myself riding 30 mph to keep up with them at one point--I'd never done that in my life! They lost me soon after that, but I remember the experience as testimony to the power a group can exert on my abilities.

Not that I want to make a habit of riding 30 mph.

Originally posted by Ba-Dg-Er
Don't get discouraged by these "road warriors"

I see no reason to get discouraged by someone who can outpace or out distance you

I have been riding for about 15 months now and have made a lot of progress going from my first ride of 2 miles to daily rides of 15 to 45 miles and having completed century rides and this summer participating in a MS150 ride

When some rider (be it what you guys are calling lycra rode warriors or the local guy on his full suspension cutoffs bandana or t-shirt) passes me it just shows me that i still have some where to go

When i first started riding daily there was a guy (full suspension rider above) that would pass me on this big climb almost daily
i kept at it and after awhile we stayed closer and closer and soon i was even able at times to beat him up the hill

I was never discourage by him more correctly i was inspired by him

To all you guys that are faster then me and can out distance me (and there are still a lot of them) feel free to blow past me i enjoy being motivated to ride faster and further

I remember a family story being told in my childhood days that an uncle of mine from north Italy (dead now, bless him) is said to have raced and won -- on a lady's city bike. I always like to remember that whenever I feel discouraged by the road warriors!

claude

AF,

There's nothing to be discouraged about. You aren't so unusual. I know at least one person in this forum whose been there ;). And (fact of life) you will always be able to go out and find people who can ride faster than you.

Not all the road warriors are "poseurs," and not all "poseurs" are true road warriors. I read a story about an avid cyclist in the bay area (Eric House) who basically blew away everyone in a century, riding in an oxford shirt. I guess he was making a statement.

Bottom line: pick your goals, move in that direction, and give it time to happen. When equipment (bikes, gear, etc.) become a significant limitation, upgrade. Ride bike and have fun.

Ah, man, you can't buy your way to fitness. Clothes and gear and expensive bikes don'e make riders strong.

Don't be intimidated by the show. Now, if you are discouraged by cats who can really fly on a bike, that is another story.

I was in Italy last week I was in a car aand saw some racere style cyclists all decked out and bent over their bikes riding on a busy road. A little farther ahead, there was an old man wearing woolen tweeds, a croanie hat and riding an old upright roadster.

We stopped for a coffee and then continued on our journey. We passed the same group of cyclists again and guess what... The old guy on the roadster was still leading the techie goobers.

Anyway, the speed demon riders aren't trying to discourage you. Be motivated by their excellence.

SO maybe I was trying to get ahead too fast in my quest for good health. Tonight I saw a woman pull out on to the road in front of me on her bicycle. She was at least 10 to 15 years older than Pete's teeth, but she looked like she was in good shape. When I first saw her she was about 75 yards ahead of me on a moderate hill. I couldn't help it. I stated to pedal faster, and in no time, I zipped past her. I even had my son with me in his bicycle seat on my back rack. As pulled beside her I gave her a smile and said hello, and continuted to fly up the hill. When I was far enough away from her I started to breathe again. :)

BTW, I've lost an additional 10 pounds since I posted this thread in April. Maybe the few extra pounds weight loss has helped my hill hoppng.

Originally posted by A F Baker
She was at least 10 to 15 years older than Pete's teeth...

BTW, I've lost an additional 10 pounds since I posted this thread in April. Maybe the few extra pounds weight loss has helped my hill hoppng.

OK, you've got me hooked: how old are Pete's teeth? :)

And congratulations on your weight loss. I know they say it's rotating weight that really holds back a bike, but you can't convince me the weight on the saddle doesn't have something to do with speed, too!

Originally posted by Osiris



I have been riding for about 15 months now and have made a lot of progress going from my first ride of 2 miles to daily rides of 15 to 45 miles and having completed century rides and this summer participating in a MS150 ride


To all you guys that are faster then me and can out distance me (and there are still a lot of them) feel free to blow past me i enjoy being motivated to ride faster and further

That's what I call a great attitude. Best wishes for the MS 150!

Boy, can I relate to your feelings, AF! I have only owned my trusty little Fuji hybird for a month, and I have 230 miles on it. On my almost daily 6 mile-one-way comute, I frequently see the local "big dogs" and wonder if I will ever get there. But, in my solitary rides, I know that I am getting in better shape, and I am loving that. For now, I just have to take solace in the fact that I am in better shape than I have been in years, and I know if I keep it up, maybe someday I will be one of the "big dogs!" One of the "big dogs" has even been kind enough to offer me many words of encouragement, even though one of her afternoon rides would probably kill me! Discouraged soemtimes? You bet! But, I just keep pumping away, and now I can wear spandex (more for the padding than the aerodynamics!) without children running from the side of the road screaming! Just have fun with it! Bill

Originally posted by A F Baker
BTW, I've lost an additional 10 pounds since I posted this thread in April. Maybe the few extra pounds weight loss has helped my hill hopping.
Baker,

Think of how much it would have cost you to buy a bike weighing 10 pounds less! Also, not only did you lose at least 10 pounds of fat, you are adding muscle, the prescription for power.

Bill, I started out on 3 mile one-way trips, half of what you are doing. Now I do 15 mile one-way trips, hills and all. Your body will change amazingly in time and you will never go back.

Although I'm getting back in shape amazingly quicker than I expected, after three years of sloth and you-name-it (with a few good excuses thrown in, though)--still, I'm not able to just jump up those hills yet. I had to walk my bike about a half mile today; I was feeling faint after half the hill, and knew better than to push it.

Only rode about 12 miles altogether but yesterday rode none--and guess which evening I felt crummy, and which one perky and fine?

From Kansas City,
Feeling perky and fine,
Jon :)

P. S. I got my road bike (old heavy Nishiki with lot$ of upgrade$) cleaned up and aired up--the tires didn't explode--I intend to ride it tomorrow. I hope I remember how. Let's see: you have to lean over the handlebars, right?

Jon,

That inspires me!

Well, I am going to brag a little! I am 52 years old, and I have led a very sedentary lifestyle for years. In January, I looked down and finally got sick of what I was seeing, so I started dieting. Next, I started working out on some excercise equipment they have at work that no one had been using. Next came my bike. As of this morning, I am down 41 pounds from where I started, and I want to loose another 19. Of everything I am doing, nothing gives me more pleasure than my bike! I love my trips to work, and now I find myself watching the clock for the end of the day, because then I get to ride my bike home! I am starting to feel so good, that when I get to the little town where I live, now I ride on through town, and up the hill on the west side, then turn around and go home. Adds a couple of miles to the trip, and gives me an extra measure of workout. The local "big dogs" still intimidate me, but I just ride along by myself, listening to my tunes and having a ball!! My only regret is that I didn't start doing this years ago!! So if there are any other newbies out there, get on your bikes and have some fun!!
Bill

Originally posted by Pete Clark
Jon,

That inspires me!
I felt fairly inspired too, till I was cleaning the chain in place on the bike, and suddenly the cranks wouldn't budge. Now I have to try to remember how to disassemble the bottom bracket and see what's jammed up in there--could be the races disintegrated; I read a story on the Internet about an American tourist in Vietnam who had that happen. Wow. (I know, I could have removed the races and got more ball bearings in there, but that's another tedious story in itself...)

Originally posted by nebill
Well, I am going to brag a little! I am 52 years old, and I have led a very sedentary lifestyle for years...

You have every right to brag! What a story. Ride carefully and keep up the excellent work. :beer:

Your account has a special meaning for me, because I was 52 when I took up bike commuting. I hadn't been all that sedentary, because I'd already been car-free for 10 years, and walked a lot, but the commuting by bike was a whole new experience.

Tell us your adventures as they happen--'cause happen they will.... :)

Originally posted by JonR

...suddenly the cranks wouldn't budge. Now I have to try to remember how to disassemble the bottom bracket and see what's jammed up in there...

Update: I hope if somebody reads this, that's done something really stupid lately (especially with a bike), he or she will feel a little smarter in comparison to me.

It wasn't bottom-bracket trouble after all. (Good thing, 'cause I couldn't get the bottom bracket disassembled even though I have the tools and have done it before.)

I had the bike upside down and the rear wheel out of the dropouts.

The wheel was binding on something, causing the works to jerk to a halt.

Now the bike's ready to ride, but I'm not sure I feel competent to get on it. :o

A F- I hear you, guy. Don't get down. I would suggest joining a club. The riding in a group will help. You know, even us "road warriors" started somewhere. There was a time-when I first started- I couldn't do a four mile loop without stopping twice!!
Roadie, MTB, Commuters, We have a common thread. WE are cyclists. The same diversity you find in the population as a whole you are going to find in the cycling community. The good, the bad, and the ugly!!!
Heck, look at the progress you've made to this point!! When I started, I could (no kidding) feel myself getting stronger and faster for three seasons. Give yourself some time. Your body will adapt. Anyway, just wanted to give some encouragement. Hang in there. Do think about joining a club. ride long and prosper. Stan

Jon, glad to hear there were not serious problems with the bike!

Stan, good deal on joining a club. My favorite local "road warrior" told me last night that there was a short club ride coming up next Wednesday. I am pretty sure that I can do 12 miles without too much trouble, so I guess I will give it a try. Heck, when you have a group like that, someone has to be last, might as well be me! I am sure that the "road warriors" will be back to the start by the time I get to the half-way point! I should join the club, and get to be president, then they would have to wait for me before they could start the meetings!!! :-)
Bill

Originally posted by nebill
Jon, glad to hear there were not serious problems with the bike!
Thanks--I took it out and rode it five miles and it was like I'd never been off it--from the bike's point of view. From mine, I will take a little while to get used to that hunched-over position again, but I never did mind it.
And I had to learn to shift gears all over! But it flew along like a charmed being. It's an old Nishiki Century, a heavy, tensile-steel bike that once belonged to some unknown person in Rochester, New York (it has a sticker on it). I bought it for $99 at my bike dealer's and have put several hundred dollars' of replacement, upgrade, parts on it and I love that old bike. It has just got a sweet personality, do you know what I mean? (By the way, it's also a LOT easier to carry up and down twenty-five steps!) Photo at http://www.microlink.net/~jonr/NISHIKI.JPG also reveals a tiny sample of the clutter in my living room.


I should join the club, and get to be president, then they would have to wait for me before they could start the meetings!!! :-)
Bill

Oh-oh! Be careful--I'm sure you've read about coup d'etat's in the papers. That's how they get started! The president shows up late....

Way to go, nebill, you've accomplished at lot! Keep it up!!!

nebill- I can only speak from my own experience on this. My club has recreational to roadie components. It also has rides for "newbies."
The biggest reason for me joining is the advocacy the club does on the local governmental front. It is well worth my $20.00 bucks a year.
I don't know if this is PC on this forum,but to get an idea what clubs are about check'em out. WWW. KCBC.org.
I know some clubs lean toward MTB, some toward Road, just have to find the one that is right for you. In my experience it has been very worthwhile, and positive. anyhoo, that's just my opinion, of course I could be wrong!! Stan

Thanks JonR, aerobat and stan, you words are appreciated! This is a cool place to hang out when I can't be riding! I only had a little time to ride yesterday, and my bike had 243 miles on it, so I thought it would be nice to park it for a day of rest with 250 miles on it. Since I only had a short time, and I felt like a workout, I came up with this brilliant idea. The wind was out of the south, and there are two big hills south of town, so I headed south! Man, going uphill into a wind was a workout! The first chain ring on my bike is a "virgin" and I'll be darned if I was going to ruin that! I finally made it to the top, though! Then I tured around, and that was a different story! My trusty little Fuji Sagres set a new speed record with me aboard! Down hill with a tail wind, and I hit 35.6 MPH! Okay, okay, I know that was silly, that when you are riding a bike, your nose is your front bumper, but I had to give it a try! I also know that you are supposed to spin all the way down a hill, but I can only do about 27 or 28 before my feet fly off the pedals! Anyway, by the time I got home, I had my wanted 250 miles on, and now I am ready for my ride to work in the morning! The club ride is going to be about 12 miles, so I will probably make a little detour on my way home to add a few extra miles so I will be ready! I know I won't be first, but I don't want to embarass myself either! Thanks again folks for the kind words....."road warriors" and "big dogs", watch out!
(By the way Jon, nice looking bike!! I got my bike from a great bike dealer in North Platte (not sure if this forum will allow a plug, so I won't mention her name!) Somehow she knew I had $100 in my pocket, so that is what she sold it to me for! Best 100 bucks I ever spent!)
Bill

Originally posted by nebill
Down hill with a tail wind, and I hit 35.6 MPH!
Just watch out for cross-traffic and cross cops! :)

Keep enjoying!

ALL NEWBIES TAKE NOTE!!! I HAVE SEEN THE ENEMY! Okay, I took Stans advice, and last night went for a ride with our local club. The road warriors were out in force....people who talk about an 80 mile ride as casually as I might think about riding down my driveway. And, to my surprise and enjoyment, we maintained a leisurly 13 to 16 MPH pace, that even I could keep up with. I was really apprehensive when we started, but had a nice chat with a fellow who travels all over the US riding in week long rides. I told him my average speed was only 12 MPH, and he told me that was pretty good, that his was 12.5!! Anyway, I had a good time with the spandex crowd, and now I am looking forward to my next ride! I am sure that there are some elitist snobs out there who think this fat old man should stay indoors with the shades drawn, but you know what, I bet I am having more real fun with my bike than they are! Keep spinning!!! Bill

Thanks nebill! I guess I should try a group ride sometime soon, eh?

Ba-Dg-Er, that reminds me of something funny that happened at the end of the ride. Myself and the experienced rider had been riding together for about 9 miles, maintaining a nice steady cadence and speed. We did not pass a pedestrian waving a green flag, nor a set of lights like they start drag races with, but before you knew it we were both leaning on the pedals and grabbing higher gears for the last half mile! I remember thinking this was funny, but I wasn't about to give in!! I guess even us old, fat newbies can get a little shot of testosterone once in a while!! I did manage to stay in the lead, so it was the perfect ending to the perfect evening!! I like the idea of the graded rides, that sounds cool! This club is planning a century ride in Sepember...I don't know if I could do one of those or not.....but I will have to keep trying! To give you an idea of how crazy (?) I am, on Saturday I am picking up another Fuji bike, this time a road bike! I think I will change my handle to "FUJIDUDE!" I've been riding for almost a month, and I have 297 miles on my Fuji hybrid, and I am really excited about getting a road bike! Well, that is probably about enough for this time! Thanks to all for the kind words!! Keep spinning! Bill, the FUJIDUDE!!

Right on, FUJIDUDE!!! :beer:

Let us know how the new bike is.

Reminds me of what Pogo said: "I have seen the enemy, and the enemy is us!"

:thumbup:

Kick *ss, Fujidude! Yer gonna love the road bike.

You should absolutely aim to do the century. Put together a plan to build your weekly mileage gradually toward the ride date. Seems like Bicycling Magazine has at least one article a year on preparing for a century, with suggested training schedules and other good advice. You might want to go to the local library and check through back issues.

In my opinion, half the battle in completing a century is logistics... pacing yourself, and eating right before and during the ride. The other half is conditioning and preparation.

You'll make lots of friends on the ride, have a great time, and be able to tell people you rode 100 miles in one day on a bike!

This forum ROCKS! Between all you guys, and my favorite local 'big dog', I think I will start thinking about the century! I have the June issue of Bicycling right here on my desk, and it does indeed have the training plans to help get me ready for a century ride. It is really a joy for someone like me who is so new to this to be able to share experiences and learn from you who have done it before! I know that a lot of the preparation is mental, and your encouragement really helps me think that I just might be able to do this!! Thanks again everyone! Keep spinning!!
Bill, the FUJIDUDE!!

(PS I will keep you all advised of how it goes with my new road bike!!)

Today I realized the mistake of my previous thinking on the lycra wearing road warriors. I rode 32 miles this morning, AND I WORE LYCRA SHORTS!!! I have to say I loved it! I was a bit self-conscious at first, but after a while it was alright. I think I will be wearing lycra from now on when I go on my long rides. Also near the end of my ride the rain started to dump on me. It was almost like having a religious experience. I could have ridden all day.

For the men reading this post: if you suffer from numbness in your manliness, the lycra shorts will almost completely take away the problem. At the end of my ride this morning I was a bit numb, but the shorts provided easy access to "straighten" out the problem.

I still don't have a jersey, but now that I'm wearing the lycra shorts, I don't know what's holding me back. I also would like to train for the century. I think I should be ready for a half century in just a few weeks.

AMEN, A j! My lycra shorts (with padding) have been great! I even found them on the 'net for $19 a pair! The padding has made a world of difference, no more numbness! Before the shorts, that was getting to be a problem! I just made the move up from a hybrid to a road bike today....so I am looking forward to seeing how they work with the new bike. Riding around the dealers lot without my lycra, when I had my hands up on the bars, it was just like the hybrid, but when I got down on the drops, I could really feel it! (If you want to see my new pride and joy, go to http://www.spiglamour.com/roubaix.com ) Anxious for tomorrow, so I can really give the bike a tryout and see how it works!